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medicine

The illustration shows a cut away to the brain areas associated with Alzheimer's disease.

·May 10, 2013·3 min read

Cancer Drug Prevents Build-up of Toxic Brain Protein

Using a tiny dose of the leukemia drug nilotinib, researchers halt the accumulation of toxic proteins linked to Parkinson's diseases in the brains of mice.

The image shows an erythema migrans "bulls eye" rash, which can be the first sign of a lyme infection.

Featured Neurology

·May 10, 2013·3 min read

Lyme Disease Vaccine Shows Promise in Clinical Trial

A new vaccine for Lyme disease, a neurological and physically debilitating tick borne disease, has proved promising and well tolerated by patients, according to researchers. The Lyme vaccine is shown to produce substantial antibodies against all targeted species of Borrelia, the causative agent of Lyme disease.

The image shows the dopamine pathway in the brain.

Featured Neuroscience

·May 10, 2013·5 min read

Cocaine Vaccine Passes Key Testing Hurdle

Researchers have successfully tested a new vaccine in primates to battle cocaine addiction. Using neuroimaging techniques, they demonstrated the vaccine prevents cocaine from reaching the brain and producing a dopamine induced high. Human trials could begin within the next year.

The image shows a brain affected by severe alzheimer's disease.

Featured Neuroscience

·May 7, 2013·3 min read

Turning Alzheimer’s Fuzzy Signals Into High Definition

Researchers have discovered how cholinesterase inhibitors, a class of drug that prevents the breakdown of acetylcholine, could sharpen the brain's performance in patients with Alzheimer's disease.

The diagram shows how adrenocorticotropin hormone is secreted in Cushing's disease.

Featured Genetics

·May 7, 2013·3 min read

Scientists Find Potential Therapeutic Target for Cushing’s Disease

Researchers have identified that the TR4 protein, which regulates a gene that produces ACTH, drives the formation of pituitary tumors in Cushing's disease.

The image shows the opiate binding sites within the brain, highlighted in green.

Featured Neuroscience

·May 6, 2013·4 min read

Preclinical Study Shows Heroin Vaccine Blocks Relapse

Scientists reported successful preclinical tests in rats of a new vaccine against heroin addiction. The vaccine targets heroin and its psychoactive breakdown products in the bloodstream, blocking relapse.

The image is an MRI scan of the brain with the nucleus accumbens highlighted.

Featured Neuroscience

·April 23, 2013·2 min read

Binge Eating Curbed by Deep Brain Stimulation in Animal Model

Targeting the nucleus accumbens by using deep brain stimulation could modify specific eating behaviors linked to weight changes and obesity, a new study suggests.

Featured Neurology

·March 28, 2013·5 min read

New Research on the Effects of Traumatic Brain Injury

According to three new studies, numerous opportunities exist to improve the outcomes of TBI in older adults.

A brain scan is shown with a highlighted area

Autism Featured

·March 20, 2013·3 min read

Atypical Brain Circuits May Cause Slower Gaze Shifting in Infants Who Later Develop Autism

Infants at 7 months of age who go on to develop autism are slower to reorient their gaze and attention from one object to another when compared to 7-month-olds who do not develop autism, and this behavioral pattern is in part explained by atypical brain circuits.

The image is a plastinated brain of a person with Alzheimer's disease.

Featured Genetics

·March 18, 2013·4 min read

Uncontrolled Hypertension Could Bring Increased Risk for Alzheimer’s Disease

A new study finds increased amyloid levels in the brains of unmedicated hypertensive adults with a genetic risk factor for Alzheimer's disease.

The image is a brain scan of a patient with recurrent glioblastoma.

Brain Cancer Featured

·March 12, 2013·3 min read

Using Fat to Fight Brain Cancer

Researchers discover stem cells from a patient's own fat could potentially deliver new treatments directly to the brain after the removal of a glioblastoma, the most common form of brain cancer.